Kate,

I take it that it is a 5-string banjo, tuned to "Open G" tuning (which is the most common tuning for a banjo). Beginning with the 5th string (the short one) and working your way down towards the floor (5, 4, 3, 2, 1), it is tuned: gDGBD. (The small "g" signifies the 5th string).

If there are guitar players there, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings are tuned exactly the same as the guitar's 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings.

If you get that far (i.e., tuning the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings), then fret the 2nd string at the third fret, and tune the 1st string (open) to the same pitch.

Finally, hold the 1st string at the fifth fret, and tune the fifth string (open) to the same pitch.

If you get all of that done, have the guitar player and banjo player play the same chord (e.g., "G," "C", and "D") to see if they match.

A cheap alternative to all of that is to simple get an electronic tuner. A "guitar tuner" starts at around $10 and go up from there. An inexpensive "chromatic tuner" will run about $15 to $20. Check around.

Good luck.

Rick

the missing it? almost